Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers

These skewers are packed with flavor from a simple Cajun marinade and cook up quickly on the grill for a perfect summer meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off, your preference)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning)

Cooking Guide:

1. Marinate the Shrimp: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt, and lemon juice. Add the shrimp and toss to coat them evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for extra flavor.
2. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). If using a gas grill, preheat with the lid closed for 10 minutes for even heat distribution.
3. Assemble the Skewers: Thread the shrimp onto the soaked skewers. It’s best to avoid overcrowding the skewers, so aim for 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
4. Grill the Shrimp: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque throughout. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
5. Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as melted butter, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, or remoulade.

Tips:

• Make it a meal: Serve the shrimp skewers with grilled vegetables, rice, or quinoa for a complete meal.
• Double the marinade: If you’re making a larger batch, simply double the marinade recipe. You can also use the leftover marinade for basting the shrimp while grilling for added flavor.
• Skewer variety: If you like, thread other ingredients onto the skewers with the shrimp, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or pineapple chunks, for additional flavor and color.
• Shrimp size: While large shrimp are recommended, you can use medium shrimp if that’s what you have available. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, grilling for 1-2 minutes per side.
• Wooden skewers: Soaking the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling helps prevent them from burning. Alternatively, you can use metal skewers.